ROSE’S SUMMER OF ARTS & DREAMS
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Rose dreamed about becoming a famous musician. She loved to dance, draw, and dress up. She painted musical notes on the wall in her room in Brooklyn, where she looked out the window at her neighborhood and daydreamed.
She was finishing fourth grade, and lately Rose hadn't felt so good about herself, her drawings, and her dreams about becoming a musician. She often thought, I'm nobody. I'm nothing. No one loves me. I don't even deserve to live.
One morning as Rose was leaving the house her father called out to her, "Your Aunt Olive is coming to stay with us for the summer."
Rose said, "Wow, the whole summer? Aunt O is so cool!" But to herself, she thought, I'm not cool at all. What if she doesn't like me anymore? I have to think of interesting things to say.
It was a really hot summer. On the day after she arrived, Aunt O took Rose to Rockaway Beach. They ate strawberry popsicles on the boardwalk, walked along the beach picking up seashells, and did yoga together.
Aunt O said, "I'm having so much fun with you, Gorgeous-Face!"
Rose stood a little taller and thought, Am I gorgeous?
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About the Book
The co-founders of Arts & Dreams, Laura Baran and Patricia Geremia, have written their first book for children. Over a summer in New York City, a young girl named Rose changes the way she thinks about herself through making art. Rose’s Aunt Olive visits with creative ideas to help boost Rose’s big dreams. Featuring Laura’s hand-painted illustrations that are based on photographs by Patricia, this is a heartwarming story with a powerful message of transformation.
Laura Baran and Patricia Geremia co-founded Arts & Dreams, an organization whose mission is to expand hope and self-love through creative expression. The creation of Arts & Dreams was inspired by Laura’s brother Jeff’s suicide, which he attributed to his feelings of hopelessness. Since 2009, Arts & Dreams has been fulfilling its purpose by leading empowering art workshops for hundreds of children, teens, and adults in New York City. For more information and to get involved, you can visit www.ArtsandDreams.org.
About the Author
Laura Baran is an award-winning professional artist and an art educator. She received her BFA with honors from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Laura has served on the board of directors for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's New York City Chapter. She lives with her husband Matt Green and their son in New York City. More of her work can be seen at www.laurabaran.com.
Patricia Geremia is a professional photographer and blogger at PatriciaG Loves Italy, sharing her love for New York City and Italy. She is the owner of her own line of greeting cards and prints, and is a certified Reiki healer. Patricia has served as a youth mentor since 1995. She lives in New York City with plans to share her time living in Italy. You can visit her website at www.patriciageremia.com.
Rose's Summer of Arts & Dreams offers children a sense of hope and encouragement by inspiring them to love who they are through art making.
Author illustrations by Laura Baran